Large Fire Closes Ohio River Bridge, Steel Structure Damaged - Newsweek

Nov 01, 2024

A massive fire that broke out overnight has closed a busy bridge on the Ohio River that runs between Cincinnati and northern Kentucky on Friday.

Part of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge's steel structure is said to have been damaged by the fire, and Interstate 471 was shut down.

Cincinnati Fire Department said the fire broke out near a playground in a park under the bridge. No injuries have been reported.

Footage from local news outlets shows flames reaching above the bridge located in downtown Cincinnati. Fire crews said steel beams were warped by the fire and pieces of concrete had fallen from the structure.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Lindsay Haegele, a public information officer for the Cincinnati Fire Department, said the fire was started in the playground of the Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point. The park was said to be badly damaged.

Haegele also said the fire was not started in a vehicle as had been first reported.

Seven hours after the first reports of the fire, the playground "was still smoldering," The Cincinnati Enquirer said, and Cincinnati Parks spokesperson Rocky Merz said the playground was "significantly damaged."

The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge was named after the founder of the Boy Scouts of American, who was born in Cincinnati. The bridge was dedicated in 1977.

Many locals call the structure the "Big Mac Bridge" due to its yellow arches' resemblance to McDonald's "Golden Arches" logo.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

Update 11/01/24 11:00 a.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more information.

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